Bible Word of the Day
Barabbas (Jewish Insurrectionist)
Meaning
Barabbas was an insurrectionist. Prior to the crucifixion of Jesus Barabbas was arrested for leading or taking part in an insurrection against the Roman government. In addition, he was also accused of murder and robbery. Barabbas appears in all four Gospels of the New Testament where he is mentioned as a prisoner and criminal. He was chosen by the crowd, over Jesus Christ to be released by Pontius Pilate in a customary pardon before the feast of Passover. Judas Iscariot had betrayed Jesus and lied in order to help aid the Jewish authorities in falsely arresting Jesus. The information given by Judas Iscariot helped the Jewish authority to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Jewish leaders had no case against Jesus, so they hired people to lie and violated their own laws by going after him at night to work under the cover of darkness.
Pontius Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent. Pilate also knew that the Jewish leaders had brought false charges against Him because of envy. What Pilate should have done is, followed God and not given into the demands of the people who were influenced by the Jewish leaders, who themselves will filled with envy and rebellion against God. In addition the wife of Pontius Pilate suffered tormenting dreams during the night regarding Jesus and begged Pontius Pilate not to have anything to do with Him. In the case of Pontius Pilate and his wife, we have a good example of how God intervenes in our lives to prevent us from working against Him. In this case Pontius Pilate and his wife ignored those warnings. Pilate thought to ask the crowd if they wanted Jesus or Barabbas freed. Knowing how notorious Barabbas was and wanting to free Jesus, Pilate must have thought the crowd would choose Jesus. However the crowd stirred up by the Pharisees and Jewish leaders chose Barabbas. The Bible Encyclopedia tells that “nothing is known concerning the subsequent history of Barabbas,” after his release.
“Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?’ For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.” (Gospel of Matthew 27:16-18)
“Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. But Pilate answered them, saying, ‘Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?’ For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. Pilate answered and said to them again, ‘What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?’ So they cried out again, ‘Crucify Him'” (Gospel of Mark 15:6-13)